Insights with Sean O'Rourke
Episodes
John Saunders
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chairman of one of the world's largest communications agencies FleishmanHillard John Saunders shares with Sean his experiences growing up in Artane, w...
Fr John Joe Duffy
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Curate for Cresslough Fr John Joe Duffy joins Sean to discuss the tragedy that happened in the small village in Donegal on October 7th in 2022. Father...
Caitríona Perry
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Presenter with BBC News and former presenter and Washington Correspondent with RTÉ Caitríona Perry shares with Sean what life is like in Washi...
Professor Colin O’Gara
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of Addiction Services at St John Of God University Hospital and Clinical Professor at UCD’s School of Medicine Profess...
Kevin Healy
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Director of Radio Programming and Public Affairs in RTÉ Kevin Healy joins Sean to share his journey as a journalist for the Cork Examiner and ...
Leslie Shoemaker
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chartered Counselling Psychologist and lecturer in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in TU Dublin Leslie Shoemaker shares her journe...
Daniel Lambert
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Manager of Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, chief commercial officer at Bohemians Football Club and former owner of Bang Bang cafe in Phibsboro Daniel Lamb...
Darragh Ennis
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Star of ‘The Chase’ and ‘Beat The Chasers’ professional quizzer Darragh Ennis speaks to Sean about his journey from Rathcoole in Dublin, where...
Daíthí O’Ceallaigh
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Irish ambassador Dáithí O’Ceallaigh joins Sean and explains what life was like serving in places like London and Belfast during the Troub...
Alex Cooney
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cyber Safe Kids Alex Cooney speaks to Sean about her journey from working in the international development a...
Eoghan Murphy
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Minister for Housing and Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy joins Sean to share what life is now like for him following his turbulent time in poli...
Fintan Drury
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist, author and migration activist Fintan Drury joins Sean to discuss trials and tribulations over his career in the RTÉ newsroom and Northern...
Isobel Garvey
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Chief Operating Officer at Warner Music UK Isabel Garvey speaks to Sean about leaving investment banking for a once in a lifetime opportunity t...
David McRedmond
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Executive Officer of An Post David McRedmond joins Sean to share his journey from working on the shop floor of Waterstones to his time at Eircom...
Eoghan Murphy
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Minister for Housing and Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy joins Sean to share what life is now like for him following his turbulent time in politics ...
Fintan Drury
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist, author and migration activist Fintan Drury joins Sean to discuss trials and tribulations over his career in the RTÉ newsroom and Northern...
Isobel Garvey
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Chief Operating Officer at Warner Music UK Isabel Garvey speaks to Sean about leaving investment banking for a once in a lifetime opportunity t...
David McRedmond
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Executive Officer of An Post joins Sean to share his journey from working on the shop floor of Waterstones to his time at Eircom and TV3. He ope...
Jennifer Rock
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of the series, skincare expert Jennifer Rock joins Seán to share how she built a successful business while facing life’s tough...
Jody Plauche
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and advocate Jody Plauché speaks to Seán about surviving child abuse, the aftermath of his abuser’s killing by his father, and his journey ...
Prof Afif El-Khuffash
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Neonatologist Prof Afif El-Khuffash joins Sean to share his journey from intensive care units to advocacy for Gaza. A proud Palestinian-Irish voice, h...
Tolu Makay
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nigerian-born, Offaly-raised singer Tolü Makay joins Sean to share her journey from church choirs to viral fame. A soulful artist and mental health a...
Dr Brian Pennie
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Brian Pennie speaks to Seán about his journey from heroin addiction to recovery, and how it led him to a new life studying the mind and helping ot...
Cathy Kelly
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and journalist Cathy Kelly speaks to Seán about her journey from journalist to becoming one of Ireland’s best-loved authors, as well as the ...
Lelia Doolan
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A pioneer in Irish media and the arts, Lelia Doolan reflects on her resignation from Teilifís Éireann to becoming the first female Artistic Director...
Colm Flynn
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the final days before the papal conclave to elect the next Pope, Seán speaks to Vatican-based journalist and Clare native, Colm Flynn. They discus...
Paul Costelloe
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well-known designer Paul Costelloe discusses his relationship with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, his ongoing ambition as he approaches his 80th b...
Laura Coleman
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Coleman is psychologist and psychotherapist for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. She reveals why she believes we do not need to fear death...
Éamon Ó Cuiv
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Éamon Ó Cuív is not only a former Government Minister and TD but as he explains to Sean O’Rourke, he is also a dedicated campaigner and prison ne...
Sinéad Burke
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sinéad Burke is a writer, primary school teacher, and disability campaigner. From starting a blog in her bedroom to becoming one of 15 trailblazing w...
Colm O'Rourke
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Colm O’Rourke is a Gaelic football manager, retired secondary school principal, sports broadcaster, and columnist. He also has two All-Irelands meda...
Dr Thomas McCann
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Psychotherapist and Counsellor Dr Thomas McCann speaks to Sean about his love for the travelling community he is part of, as well as the issues and ch...
Georgie Crawford
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Social media star, podcaster and breast cancer survivor Georgie Crawford opens up about the night her life changed utterly in 2017 when she discovered...
Ollie Jennings
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ollie Jennings is the Manager of ‘The Saw Doctors’, a founding member of The Galway Arts Festival, and the award-winning spectacle theatre company...
Diarmuid Gavin
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irish garden designer and presenter Diarmuid Gavin opens up to Sean about why he passionately wanted to change gardening forever, he speaks about his ...
Catherine Connolly
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Deputy Catherine Connolly discusses her unexpected path into politics. She speaks about her surprise election as the first woman to hold the position ...
Feargal O'Rourke
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former managing partner of PWC and current Chairperson of the IDA Feargal O'Rourke speaks with Sean about his mother, Mary O’Rourke, the sliding doo...
Kevin Bakhurst
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Bakhurst started his position as Director General of RTÉ in July 2023. The RTÉ payments scandal was dominating the headlines at the time so th...
Bryan Dobson
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bryan Dobson retired last month after 37 years in the RTÉ newsroom. Bryan reflects on his career and shares his view on the future of journalism.See ...
Gerry Hussey
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerry Hussey is a performance psychologist, author and co-founder of Soul Space. He has been at the forefront of building teams and individuals in Oly...
Ger Redmond
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former prisoner, triathlete, coach and mentor for young offenders, Ger Redmond tells Sean about his childhood, his dreams of becoming a pro footballer...
Peter Murtagh
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Murtagh is an award-winning, journalist and author. He spent almost 40 years in newspapers (working for The Irish Times and the Sunday Tribune i...
Anne Anderson
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anne Anderson is one of Ireland’s most high-profile diplomats. Former Ambassador to The United Nations in Geneva and New York, The European Union, F...
Professor Rose Anne Kenny
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny is the founding Principal Investigator of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Professor Kenny tells Sean ...
Bill Browder
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Browder is an international campaigner against corruption and human rights abuses in Russia. Bill was an investor in Russia prior to his expulsio...
Jack Kavanagh
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012 Jack Kavanagh suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving him with 15% muscle function. Now, Jack delivers speeches on wellbeing, resi...
Aileen Hickie
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Aileen Hickie, former barrister and journalist shares memories and stories with Sean about her time in Drishane Convent, Millstreet, her various caree...
Rob Kearney
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Kearney is one of Ireland’s most decorated rugby players. He retired from professional rugby in 2021 with 95 caps as well as 3 British and Irish...
Jarlath Burns
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Following his appointment as new president of the GAA Jarlath Burns tells Sean what he hopes to achieve during his three-year term. He also reflects o...
Annalise Murphy
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Annalise Murphy received a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first Irish woman to win an Olympic sailing medal. She reflects on the ...
Fintan Warfield
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield tells Sean about his early interest in politics and how he was politicised by music and songs. Since his election i...
Shark Hanlon
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trainer John Hanlon known universally as ‘Shark’ tells Sean how he went from cattle dealing to training horses. He recalls some of his favourite w...
Enda Brady
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Enda Brady talks about his introduction to journalism, he also reflects on his time at Sky, where he intervie...
Colm Murray
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special archive episode, Sean is in conversation with renowned sports broadcaster Colm Murray. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Avi...
Edel Coffey
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Edel Coffey is a journalist, broadcaster and #1 bestselling author of Breaking Point, her debut novel which won best crime novel at the An Post Irish ...
Professor Janice Walshe
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Janice Walshe is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at St Vincent’s hospital specialising in breast cancer. Described as a superstar in the o...
Conor Buckley
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Conor Buckley is a social entrepreneur and founder of sustainable clothing brand Human Collective. Son of campaigner Christine Buckley, he shared his ...
Richard Bruton
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Bruton, TD for Dublin Bay North and Fine Gael spokesperson for the Environment, Climate and Communications confirmed that he will not seek re-...
Sonya Lennon
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sonya Lennon is a fashion designer, social entrepreneur, broadcaster, and businesswoman. She tells Sean how it all began in her career, about her insp...
Stewart Kenny
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stewart Kenny is one of the founders of Paddy Power, he tells Sean about his career in the betting industry which spanned over four decades. He also s...
Paul Tweed
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
International media lawyer Paul Tweed joins Sean to talk about how he built up one of the most lucrative defamation law practices in the world. From c...
Bríd Rodgers
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SDLP veteran Bríd Rodgers reflects on her life in Politics, both in the North and South of Ireland, her relationship with Seamus Mallon and John Hume...
Liz O'Donnell
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former Minister Liz O Donnell talks about her life in Politics including her decade as Junior Minister during the Peace Process, the influence of the ...
Orla Feely
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Newly appointed President of UCD Orla Feely speaks about her stellar career in engineering research, the challenges she faces in her new role and she ...
Alan English
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday Independent Editor Alan English talks about the challenges he had taking up his new position during the pandemic, the changes he would like to ...
Holly Cairns
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns joins Sean to talk about the challenges of her new position, growing up on a small dairy farm in West Cor...
Professor Fiona Mulcahy
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sean talks to Professor Fiona Mulcahy about the many challenges she faced at the start of her career in genito-urinary medicine when there was very li...
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Minister of State at the Department of Finance talks about how she is getting on in the first few months of her new role, her desire to see more w...
Donncha O'Callaghan
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The former Rugby International talks about what drove him to be the very best player on the pitch, the contrasting coaching styles of Eddie O Sullivan...
Coming Soon
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New series "Insights with Sean O'Rourke" starts Thursday 18th May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two Tribes (2022): Nora Owen
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Nora Owen, the former Fine Gael Minister, deputy party leader and grandniece of Michael Collins, in which she discusses her fa...
Two Tribes (2022): Mary Hanafin
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Mary Hanafin, the former Fianna Fáil Minister and deputy party leader, in which she outlines what she believes to be the dist...
Two Tribes (2022): Charlie McCreevy
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Charlie McCreevy, former Minister (FF) and EU Commissioner, discussing his Fianna Fáil roots, internal party heaves and the f...
Two Tribes (2022): Lisa Chambers
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Lisa Chambers, current Senator and former Fianna Fáil TD, in which she discusses her understanding of the differences between...
Two Tribes (2022): Eoin O'Malley
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Eoin O’Malley, a son of Des O’Malley, in which he sheds light on his father’s political career, his father’s exit from...
Two Tribes (2022): Phil Hogan
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Phil Hogan, the former Fine Gael Minister and EU Commissioner, in which he talks about countering the Fine Gael heave against ...
Two Tribes (2022): John Bruton
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with John Bruton in which he talks about his role as Taoiseach, the Northern Ireland peace process and how he thinks Fianna Fáil a...
Two Tribes (2022): Sean Duignan
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Sean Duignan, former RTÉ political journalist and Government Press Secretary in which he discusses ‘Civil War politics’ a...
Two Tribes (2022): Peter Prendergast
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Peter Prendergast, former General Secretary of Fine Gael, about his role in modernising Fine Gael’s strategies under Garret ...
Two Tribes (2022): Mary Harney
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Mary Harney as she discusses her relationship with Fianna Fáil, her exit from the party and her co-founding of the Progressiv...
Two Tribes (2022): Dick Spring
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Dick Spring as he discusses his relationship with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as well as how he thinks the parties differ. (Int...
Two Tribes (2022): Brian Cowen
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Extended interview with Brian Cowen in which he discusses his role as Taoiseach while the financial crisis unfolded and how he thinks Fianna Fáil and...